SEFPRO in Falconer, formerly known as Monofrax, is pictured. Saint-Gobain, the plant's corporate owner, announced Wednesday the elimination of a production line that will result in the loss of 79 jobs at the local plant.

A new business plan at Saint-Gobain, corporate owner of the SEFPRO facility in Falconer, is leading to the loss of 79 jobs at the local plant.

Saint-Gobain officials are ending production of its Alumina-Zirconia-Silica line at the Falconer facility, which was formerly known as Monofrax. The move impacts 79 union and salaried positions associated with the line, with production expected to end in August, according to a company official in a news release Wednesday morning.

“This will not impact every product line at Falconer, and the facility will continue the production of its remaining product lines,” the company said. “This decision comes after careful consideration and evaluation of Saint-Gobain’s core business goals and is in line with the company’s mission and strategy. The company values and thanks all the employees impacted by this decision for their hard work and is committed to supporting these employees as they transition out of the business.”

SEFPRO offers a wide range of fused cast refractories including high Zirconia, alumina and chrome products. Materials are used for glass melting, steel reheat, electrolytic reduction cells for smelting light metals, coal and black liquor gasification and nuclear waste vitrification. Monofrax has supplied its products to the glass industry worldwide.

Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets.